(2) Traits, Trends, Taxonomy - Lemurs, Lorises, Tarsiers
*Describe the geographic location of prosimiis.
* Central Africa, Southeast Asia
Define the numbers of the 6 primate families.
- 5 lemurs - 2 lorises - 1 tarsier - 5 NWM - 1 OWM - 2 Apes
Describe the characteristics of larger lemurs.
- diurnal - diverse diets and social organizations - arboreal and terrestrial - small social groups (max up to 30) - highly seasonal breeders (1/year) - females dominant to males ex. indris and sifakas, ringtailed lemurs
Describe some characteristics of the lemuriformes infraorder or the prosimii suborder.
- great diversity - 5 families - over 100 different species - all endemic to Madagascar - adaptive radiation
Describe the characteristics of the tarsiiforme infraorder of the prosimii suborder. (Tarsidae the only family)
- nocturnal - SE Asia - solitary/small groups - grooming claw - vertical clinging and leaping - no rhinarium - no dental comb - post orbital closure - elongated tarsal bones - very large eyes - rotates head 180 degrees - diet: insect, frogs, lizards (small animals) - large reproductive investment (infants up to 1/3 of mother's siz) - infants live in nest
Describe the characteristics of smaller lemurs.
- nocturnal - insectivorous - solitary - Daubentonia fingers: middle/ring longer ex. Aye-aye
Describe some prosimian characteristics.
- nocturnal (mostly) - large eyes - independently mobile ears - inexpressive face - use scent marking *morphological traits found in lemurs, lorises AND tarsiers*
Describe the characteristics of the family lorisidae.
- slow climbers - mainland Africa and SE Asia ex. lorises, slow lorises, angwantibos, pottos
Describe the infraorder lorisiformes of the prosimii suborder.
- strictly nocturnal and mostly solitary - shared common ancestor with lemurs in Eocene - diet: insects, gum, fruit - rely heavily on scent marking (like lemurs) - Mainland African and SE Asia
Describe some strepsirhine characteristics (lemurs, lorises).
- tooth comb - tapetum: layer of cells that cause "eye shine" - rhinarium: most hairless pad at end of nose, enhances sense of smell - immobile upper lip
Describe the characteristics of the family galagidae.
- vertical clingers and leapers - mainland Africa ex. galagos and bushbabies
What is the main mode of locomotion for prosimiis?
- vertical clinging and leaping
What are the two families of lorisiformes?
Lorisidae: Lorises Galagidae: Galagos or Bushbabies
Define adaptive radiation.
Multiplication and diversification of an evolving lineage, producing many descendant species. Occurs when new adaptive opportunities become available: 1. new environemts/habitats 2. new adaptive potential in lineage
Describe the difference between the traditional morphological suborder and the current molecular suborder classification.
Traditional: - Prosimii: lemurs, lorises, galagos, tarsiers - Anthropoidea: monkeys, apes, humans Molecular: - Strepsirhini: lemurs, lorises, galagos - Haplorhini: monkeys, apes, humans, tarsiers
What are the 4 distinguishing traits of primates (Strier)?
locomotive, neural and sensory, feeding, life histories
